How and why systemic inflammation worsens quality of life in patients with advanced cancer

McSorley, S. T. , Dolan, R. D. , Roxburgh, C. S.D. , McMillan, D. C. and Horgan, P. G. (2017) How and why systemic inflammation worsens quality of life in patients with advanced cancer. Expert Review of Quality of Life in Cancer Care, 2(3), pp. 167-175. (doi: 10.1080/23809000.2017.1331705)

Abstract

Introduction: The presence of an innate host systemic inflammatory response has been reported to be a negative prognostic factor in a wide group of solid tumour types in both the operable and advanced setting, both local and distant. In addition, this host systemic inflammatory response is associated with both clinician reported patient performance status and self-reported measures of quality of life in patients with cancer. Areas covered: A variety of mechanisms are thought to underlie this, including the influence of the host immune response on physical symptoms such as pain and fatigue, its effect on organ systems associated with physical ability and well being such as skeletal muscle, and bone marrow. Furthermore, this innate inflammatory response is thought to have a direct negative impact on mood through its action on the central nervous system. Expert commentary: It is clear that the host systemic inflammatory response represents a target for intervention in terms of both improving quality of life and prognosis in patients with advanced cancer. Based on this paradigm, future research should focus both on pathways which might be targeted by novel agents, but also on whether existing anti-inflammatory drugs might be of benefit.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Horgan, Professor Paul and McSorley, Dr Stephen and McMillan, Professor Donald and Roxburgh, Professor Campbell and Dolan, Dr Ross
• Authors: McSorley, S. T., Dolan, R. D., Roxburgh, C. S.D., McMillan, D. C., and Horgan, P. G.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Expert Review of Quality of Life in Cancer Care
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 2380-9000
• ISSN (Online): 2380-9000
• Published Online: 29 May 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 Taylor and Francis
• First Published: First published in Expert Review of Quality of Life in Cancer Care 2(3):167-175
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy